Ch.149Unexpected Cohabitation (1)

After completing his examination, the father spoke with a surprised expression.

“It’s true. The sacred scar has manifested.”

Sacred scar. The tattoo that appears when one contracts with a constellation.

The location where the sacred scar appears is random.

In Zernya’s case, the scar had settled right on the nape of her neck where the artificial constellation had been. It resembled a swan’s wing.

Zernya, seemingly embarrassed, wrapped her scarf tightly around her neck as her face reddened.

“To think I’d get another tattoo…”

Instead of saying much, I just gave her a wink.

The development of a constellation choosing Zernya, who had been a villain, was beyond my expectations. Things were unfolding better than I could have imagined.

“It seems to be from the Cygnus constellation. Judging by its size and precision, it must be quite a high-ranking constellation. Have you heard what the constellation’s name is?”

“Um, well.”

After hesitating, Zernya finally managed to continue.

“I was told it’s the God of Humility and Healing.”

“Oh, humility.”

“Oh, healing!”

I was impressed by the word “humility,” while my father was impressed by “healing.”

“A constellation governing healing would be absolutely beneficial for a medical career. Your hard work has paid off, Miss Adelbein.”

Father’s eyes sparkled. There’s no guarantee that pursuing a medical career would attract a matching constellation. The reverse is also true.

To be studying medicine and then receive a medical-related constellation was an incredible blessing. No wonder my father was starting to take interest.

“That’s wonderful. Truly wonderful.”

Father looked at me and chuckled.

“So I can leave the sanctuary now, right?”

“Of course. Yes, absolutely. However, we still don’t know what might happen, so I should prepare a preventive measure.”

Zernya brightened at the news that she could leave.

And so, we left the dock with the priests seeing us off. Father walked ahead, deep in thought.

Soon, he turned back and made a suggestion to us.

“We should consider the possibility that the foreign god might appear to Miss Adelbein again. So, Miss Adelbein, how would you feel about commuting to school from the Rheinland main ship for the time being?”

“What? What?”

Zernya asked in surprise.

“Commuting?”

I was also surprised by the unexpected proposal.

Zernya is a medical student, and my father is a professor in the same department. In other words, Zernya and my father have a relationship similar to mine with Professor Feynman.

‘Eidel, would you like to come to my house to review papers?’

‘Huh. When?’

‘For the time being, every day.’

Imagining the situation in this way, I was left dumbfounded.

“The Rheinland main ship is essentially a massive medical facility. It’s less restrictive than the sanctuary while still allowing for immediate action in case of emergency.”

Of course, that must be what father meant. I nodded and added to his words.

“Zernya, you can stay at our house if you’re okay with it.”

“…And you?”

“I’m fine with it.”

We have plenty of empty rooms anyway. She can stay in any of them.

“It would be convenient for student council work too. If something comes up for discussion at night, we can just ask each other face-to-face.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. That’s a good idea. Right. Student council work is important. Some things can’t be handled over video calls. Yes! It’s for work! Purely for efficiency’s sake!”

Zernya, speaking incoherently, tightened her scarf. Her muttering “it’s for work” was somehow cute.

***

Father’s sudden cohabitation proposal hit like a thunderbolt.

Zernya could hardly breathe.

“Father, thank you. I know you’re busy, but thank you for looking after your son.”

“This is nothing, son.”

When she came to her senses, they had arrived at the Rheinland planetary system, the heart of the South.

After finishing his conversation with Eidel, Professor Arnold turned to look at Zernya. His gaze was profound.

“P-Professor.”

She couldn’t bring herself to call him “Father.” Considering what she had done, it would be too shameless.

“Thank you so much for bringing me to such an honorable place.”

“This is nothing. By the way, could you come over here for a moment?”

With her body stiff, Zernya followed Arnold. They arrived at his home office.

“Please, sit wherever you’re comfortable.”

“Ah, thank you…”

Thump, thump.

Her heart was racing.

What could he possibly want to discuss in private, without Eidel present?

The most obvious guess would be about the foreign god. Professor Arnold specialized in foreign god pathology. With his extensive experience as a military doctor, the Federation regarded him as a hero of humanity.

Another possibility was about attendance.

While in the sanctuary, Zernya had missed eight practical classes. Normally, missing that many classes would result in an F without special circumstances. Professor Arnold seemed like he wanted to discuss those “special circumstances.”

However, that guess was completely off the mark.

“About my son.”

“…Pardon?”

“Eidel. I wanted to ask what you think of him.”

As Arnold spoke, his golden eyes shone brightly.

“I apologize, but I’d like to discuss our family matters for a moment. This isn’t a conversation between teacher and student, but between families. Is that alright?”

“…I’m ready to listen.”

“Thank you for understanding. And I’m sorry for the suddenness.”

“No, I’m curious too…”

The conversation that began continued for quite some time.

At first, Professor Arnold asked about Eidel’s school life. Zernya answered without hesitation, like a well-prepared job applicant.

“He’s a model student. He studies well and is active in extracurricular activities.”

“Does he swear or gamble?”

“Not at all.”

Broadly speaking, he had gambled once. A gamble to save her life.

Zernya had lost that game. And thus lost her life. But she didn’t feel too bad about it. The memory made her cheeks feel warm, as if she’d been drinking.

“Good. That’s enough.”

Arnold smiled contentedly, like an enlightened sage.

After the small talk ended, the main topic emerged.

“Early next year, our family plans to officially select a head of household to present to the council of elders. Naturally, Eidel will be included.”

“I see.”

“As you know, Miss Adelbein, the head appointment ceremony is a very meaningful event for the top ten families. Eidel is the third son, so his chances are slim, but he will participate nominally.”

Zernya let out a short sigh. Unlike herself, who was an only child, he had to compete with others within his family.

“Unless there’s a significant difference in ability, our family’s principle is that the eldest son of the first wife inherits. But things have changed. Both I and our family elders were surprised by the third son’s achievements.”

“I think so too. So, you mean the succession issue has become ambiguous?”

“Thank you for understanding that far. That’s exactly right.”

Professor Arnold calmly explained the situation.

Besides Eidel, the strong candidates were Brian, the eldest son, and Seti, the eldest daughter.

Brian, the eldest son, had graduated from Stellarium Medical School with excellent grades and followed Arnold as a military doctor on the southern front. From a young age, he had steadily built a foundation to become the head of the family.

Seti, the eldest daughter, was the only child of the second wife. She was equally intelligent and had recently made significant contributions to the family finances. She was gaining favor with the family elders by giving them pocket money.

And then there was Eidel.

Despite his past misconduct, his position as the third son, and his lack of outstanding personal wealth…

“…In fact, he has the most important thing. Fame and connections.”

Zernya nodded. Nothing was more important for becoming the head of a family than those two things.

“The Federation’s scientific community stands behind him. Now, if he asks for research funds, astronomical amounts of money will move.”

“But… Rheinland focuses more on the medical field than the scientific field. Eidel is majoring in physics.”

“You’ve pinpointed the issue exactly. That’s the problem.”

Both Arnold and the family elders wished for the eldest son, who is a doctor, to become the next head. But Eidel’s fame far surpasses that.

Zernya said:

“Professor, the world is complementary. If doctors save people, the equipment to save them is made by engineers. And the operating principles of equipment made by engineers are discovered by scientists.”

“That’s right. That logic works to some extent. But it’s still not enough. We want to maintain our existing business while expanding if we expand.”

“Then…”

“Miss Adelbein.”

Professor Arnold carefully asked.

“Let me ask you once more. What do you think of Eidel?”

Zernya realized that this was no longer just about the Rheinland family.

Thump, thump.

Her heartbeat began to be felt once again.

***

“I’m not sure yet.”

In conclusion, Zernya declined.

Though the word wasn’t explicitly mentioned, Zernya recognized that Professor Arnold’s question was related to a strategic marriage between the Adelbein and Rheinland families.

That was why.

She couldn’t taint the pure Rheinland with the tarnished Adelbein.

“Even if…”

[“…Even if you wait until he becomes the head and settles everything?”]

“…!”

Startled, Zernya looked up at the empty air. There was nothing there.

[“Sorry, did I surprise you? It’s telepathy.”]

Right. I made a contract with a constellation. It still doesn’t feel real.

[“You’re trying to consider not just your feelings but also the other person’s position. That’s a good attitude. Indeed, if Adelbein were to form a marriage alliance with Rheinland now, it would certainly put that boy in a difficult position.”]

“Yes. That’s why I’m not qualified.”

Just being together is a miracle. To become someone’s partner, one must be a suitable match.

Adelbein doesn’t match Rheinland’s status. She needs to reclaim and elevate Adelbein’s status. For that, she must ascend to the position of head.

“Miss, this is the room where you’ll be staying.”

Zernya followed Sonia’s gesture and entered the room.

It was a spacious room of over 20 pyeong. Zernya let out an admiring sigh.

“I’m sorry, but this is the only room available.”

“No, it’s… more than I deserve.”

In truth, when she lived in the Adelbein family, she had a room close to 100 pyeong. But it wasn’t pleasant. It was unnecessarily large, making her feel lonely and empty.

“Bed, desk, computer, wardrobe, android call button, and so on. All the basic equipment is provided. Please use them freely.”

Sonia bowed her head and turned to leave. As she bowed, her eyes flashed with a cold light. Zernya didn’t attach any significance to it.

Zernya eagerly dived onto the bed. With a soft thud, she felt the softness envelop her entire body.

“…Mmm.”

They use good detergent here.

As she was wriggling on the bed:

“What the fuck? What’s this?”

A voice almost identical to her own came from behind.

“Why are you here…?”

Seti von Rheinland.

Eidel’s half-sister was there.